Homogenizer valve

ABSTRACT

A homogenizer valve includes two or more pressurized, movable valve cones, two or more valve seats and a valve housing which surrounds the valve cones and the valve seats. The valve cones and the valve seats are disposed so that throttles occur between them, which constitute homogenization gaps, which have a gap height h. The homogenization gaps are disposed at an angle in relation to the horizontal plane. The homogenizer valve is intended to be used in existing homogenizers and has been particularly produced to be able to obtain an efficient homogenization for liquids which are processed at a lower pressure and with a greater flow, such as, for example, pasteurized milk.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/864,470 filed on Sep. 8, 2010, which is a U.S. national stageapplication based on International Application No. PCT/SE2008/000688filed on Dec. 9, 2008 and which claims priority to Swedish ApplicationNo. 0800208-1 filed on Jan. 29, 2008, the entire content of each ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a homogenizer valve comprising apressurised, movable valve cone, a valve seat and a valve housingsurrounding the valve cone and the valve seat, said valve cone and saidvalve seat being so disposed that there occurs a throttle between them,the throttle constituting a homogenization gap.

BACKGROUND ART

Homogenization is an industrial process which has been used for aconsiderable length of time, and its purpose is, in a fat emulsion suchas, for example, milk, to split the largest fat globules into smallerfat globules and by such means stabilize the fat emulsion. For, forexample milk, this implies that cream setting is prevented, and the vastmajority of all consumer milk today is homogenized.

Homogenization normally takes place by mechanical processing, so thatthe fat emulsion which has a high input pressure is forced at high speedto pass through a very narrow gap, where the fat globules of the fatemulsion are broken up as a result of the turbulence which occurs atgreat speeds and through cavitation bubbles which implode in the liquid.The process takes place during an extremely short period of time andwhat happens during this period of time is that the speed of the fatemulsion on passage increases while the pressure decreases, with theresult that the liquid begins to boil.

A homogenizer consists essentially of a large piston pump which deliversa high pressure, as well as a counter-pressure device where thehomogenization proper takes place. The counter-pressure device, orhomogenizer valve, in turn consists of a pressurized, resilient valvecone, a valve seat as well as a wear ring or gasket and a valve housingsurrounding the valve cone and valve seat. The valve cone and valve seatare normally rotation-symmetrical and are disposed such that thereoccurs between these two parts a radial throttle, which constitutes ahomogenization gap. The height, width and length of the gap determinethat volume at which the homogenization takes place. This volume must besufficiently small to obtain an efficient homogenization. The gap heightis reduced at a higher pressure on the liquid which is to behomogenized, at the same time as a larger flow entails that the gapheight is increased.

Above all in the homogenization of pasteurized milk, compared with UHTtreated milk (Ultra High Temperature), use is made of a lower pressureat the same time as the intention is to increase the flow quantity. Thisimplies that the homogenizer valve would need to be made larger, so thatthe gap height is reduced, in order to obtain a good level ofhomogenization at this lower pressure and increased flow. However, ithas proved that an up-scaling of existing, well functioning homogenizervalves not always functions satisfactorily in practice. The larger thepressurized surface, the greater the forces will be that arise and thelarger the homogenizer valve. Simultaneously, the costs for such ahomogenizer valve increase by several factors.

Another method of solving problem is to connect in parallel a number ofhomogenizer gaps, as shown in European Patent Specification EP 034 675.By such means, there will be obtained an extension of the gap length andthereby a reduction of the gap height. This type of homogenizer valvewith homogenization gaps connected in parallel has, however, an as goodas fixed gap height. It permits only one flow and one homogenizationpressure without retro-structuring. It also suffers from the drawback ofwear in an uneven and uncontrollable manner, which harmfully affects thehomogenization result.

Swedish Patent Specification SE 509 103 discloses yet a further solutionto how the gap length can be extended by up to three times. This takesplace by designing the valve seat and the valve cone so that a pluralityof concentric homogenization gaps occurs. This homogenizer valve may beregulated for different flows.

SUMMARY

The disclosed homogenizer valve offers great possibilities to beregulated in gap length at the same time as a lower gap height isobtained. The homogenization gap has a slight gap height at highcapacity and a low homogenization pressure.

A further object of the present invention is that the gap height may beregulated when pressure and flow vary.

Yet a further object of the present invention is that the homogenizervalve is more economical to manufacture and that it displays improvedproperties as regards wear than prior art valve solutions.

Still a further object of the present invention is that thehomogenization pressure may readily be adjusted, even after a certainwear.

Still a further object of the present invention is that the homogenizervalve permits an efficient cleaning and otherwise satisfies theextremely stringent requirements of food handling.

The homogenizer valve of the type described by way of introductionincludes two or more valve cones are superposed on one another, and twoor more valve seats are superposed on one another, so that two or morehomogenization gaps occur.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention have further been giventhe characterising features as set forth in the appended subclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

One preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be describedin greater detail hereinbelow, with reference to the accompanyingDrawings. In the accompanying Drawings:

FIG. 1 shows, partly in section, a side elevation of the apparatusaccording to the invention;

FIG. 1A shows, partly in section, a magnified part of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1B shows, partly in section, yet a further magnified part of FIG.1; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a part of the apparatus according to theinvention.

The Drawings show only those details essential to an understanding ofthe present invention, and the positioning of the homogenizer valve inthe homogenizer, which is well-known to the skilled reader of thisspecification, has been omitted.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A homogenizer valve 1 according to the present invention, as illustratedin FIG. 1, consists substantially of a valve housing 2 with an inlet 3and an outlet 4 for the liquid which is to be homogenized, as well as aplurality of valve cones 5 and a plurality of valve seats 6. The valvecones 5 and the valve seats 6 are disposed such that there occurthrottles between them, homogenization gaps 7.

In the preferred embodiment, the valve seats 6 are rotational-symmetricand have a central through flow channel 8 for the liquid which is to behomogenized, constituting an extension of the inlet 3 of thehomogenization valve 1. The valve seats 6 are superposed on one anotherand they are secured to the valve housing 2.

The valve seats 6 further display a bevel 12. The bevel 12 is turned toface towards the centre of the homogenizer valve 1. The bevel 12 isturned to face away from the inlet 3 of the homogenization valve 1. Thebevel is between 20 and 45°, preferably 30° in relation to thehorizontal plane. The valve seats 6 are preferably manufactured fromsurface treated, stainless steel, but other food approved materials mayalso occur.

The valve cones 5, which are also rotation-symmetrical, have a threadedsurface 9 towards the centre of the homogenization valve 1. In thecentre of the homogenizer valve 1 there is disposed a threaded rod 10whose threads interlock in the threaded surfaces 9 on the valve cones 5.The meshed portions are sealed off, by means of hygienic seals 14 ofO-ring type, from the product which passes through the centralthrough-flow channel 8. The threaded rod 10 has, adjacent the seals 14,bleeder holes 15. The bleeder holes 15 may, in addition to beingemployed as bleeder route, also be used for indicating leakage if damagewere to occur to the seals 14. In that the seals 14 are hygienic, therewill be created a hygienic homogenizer valve 1 which satisfies therequirements of the food industry and which can be cleaned usingconventional equipment.

The valve cones 5 have a bevel 13 towards the centre of the homogenizervalve 1. The bevel 13 is turned to face towards the inlet 3 of thehomogenizer valve 1. The bevel is between 20 and 45°, preferably 30° inrelation to the horizontal plane. The valve cones 5 are preferablymanufactured from surface treated, stainless steel, but other foodapproved materials may also occur.

The valve cones 5, threaded together with the threaded rod 10, arepressurized, normally by means of an hydraulic or pneumatic piston 11,but may, in simpler versions, be pressurized by a set screw or grubscrew which acts via a spring. The valve cones 5 are also movable, forexample by the intermediary of the oil in the cylinder, in order to beable to take up the rapid flow variations which occur in the liquidwhich is to be homogenized. This elasticity is necessary in order tomeet the flow variations which naturally occur in piston pumps.

The valve cones 5 and the threaded rod 10 are positioned in the valvehousing 2 such that there occur, between the bevel 13 of the valve cones5 and the bevel 12 of the valve seats 6, homogenization gaps 7 of aheight h. The height h of the homogenization gap 7 may be varied with avaried pressure and flow, in that the valve cones 5 are moved moreproximal to or more distal from the valve seats 6. In that the valvecones 5 are threaded on the threaded rod 10, it is possible to obtainexactly the same height h of all homogenization gaps 7 in thehomogenizer valve 1.

The bevel 13 on the valve cones 5 is of a greater extent than the bevel12 on the valve seats 6. The valve cones 5 are placed against the valveseats 6 so that there will be obtained projecting surfaces of the bevel13 on both sides of the bevel 12. The homogenization gap 7 should not betoo short, since increased wear may then be the result. A shorthomogenization gap 7 may also cause vibrations and disruptive noise. Asseen in the figures, each of the valve cones 5 has an outer dimensiongreater than the inner dimension of the associated valve seat 6, therebythe valve cones 5 and the associated valve seats 6 radially overlap oneanother to define the homogenization gap 7.

In the valve housing 2 of the homogenizer valve 1 there are disposed anumber of valve cones 5 and a number of valve seats 6. FIG. 1 shows sixvalve cones 5 and six valve seats 6. As a result, there will be obtainedsix homogenization gaps 7 superposed on one another. A homogenizer valve1 according to the present invention may contain both more and fewervalve cones 5 and valve seats 6, depending upon the desired capacity andpractical application. By manufacturing the valve housing 2 in parts, itis possible in a simple manner to assemble more or fewer valve cones 5and valve seats 6, respectively.

The liquid, normally milk, which is to be homogenized is led into thehomogenizer where it is pressurized to approx. 10-25 Mpa. The milknormally has a fat content of 0.5-3.5% and is at a temperature of 55-80°C.

The liquid is led in through the inlet 3 and passes through thethrough-flow channel 8. Thereafter, the liquid passes one of thedifferent homogenization gaps 7, where the homogenization takes place.The liquid is thereafter accumulated in the channels 16. Since theliquid always strives to take the simplest route, there will be arelatively uniform distribution of liquid through the differenthomogenization gaps 7. After the homogenization, the liquid passes outof the homogenizer valve 1, through the outlet 4. In that thehomogenization gaps 7 are angled at 20-45°, preferably 30° in relationto the horizontal plane, there will be obtained a more uniform flow ofthe product, as well as reduced inlet losses on homogenization.

The gap height h is normally 50-200 μm. In the passage, an extremelyrapid pressure drop is obtained down towards 0 Mpa, at the same time asthe flow rate of the liquid increases, which results in the liquidbeginning to boil. When the liquid leaves the gap 7, the flow rate isreduced and the pressure once again increases. The liquid ceases to boiland the steam bubbles in the liquid implode. The entire process takesplace within a few fractions of a second and, in the violent processwhere the high flow rate gives rise to turbulence and cavitation, thefat globules which are in the liquid will be split into smallerparticles.

By obtaining a uniform distribution of the liquid between the differenthomogenization gaps 7, there will be optimum utilisation of theincreased gap length and a homogenizer with a homogenizer valve 1according to the present invention can handle several times as great aflow as a conventional homogenizer valve. At the same time, thehomogenizer valve is governable for variations in the product flow, inthat the piston 11 may displace the valve cones 5 in relation to thevalve seats 6 and thereby realise a different height h of thehomogenization gap 7. In that the valve cones 5 are threaded on thethreaded rod 10, all of the homogenization gaps 7 will have the same gapheight h. All valve cones 5, as well as the threaded rod 10, areregulated as a unit, so that all of the homogenization gaps 7 alwayshave the same gap height h.

As will have been apparent from the foregoing description, the presentinvention realises a homogenizer valve which may be employed forretrofitting in existing homogenizers, but which can handle a severaltimes larger flow than a corresponding, conventional homogenizer valve.At the same time, the homogenizer valve may be regulated forinstantaneous variations in pressure and flow. In that the homogenizervalve can be regulated, it also displays superior properties in respectof wear than prior art homogenizer valves. As a result of the design ofthe homogenizer valve, it is also relatively economical to manufacture.

The present invention may be modified further without departing from thescope of the appended Claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A homogenization device used to homogenizeliquid, which liquid comprises a fat emulsion, by splitting relativelylarger fat globules in the liquid into relatively smaller fat globulesto stabilize the fat emulsion and prevent setting, the homogenizationdevice comprising: an axially extending valve housing having aninterior, an inlet into which the liquid to be homogenized is introducedand an outlet from which the liquid exits the housing; a plurality ofaxially arranged valve seats in the interior of the housing; a pluralityof movable valve cones in the interior of the housing, the plurality ofvalve cones being mounted on a common movable rod so that movement ofthe rod results in corresponding movement of all of the plurality ofvalve cones, each of the plural valve cones cooperating with arespective one of the valve seats to form a plurality of throttles, eachthrottle occurring between one of the valve cones and the respectivecooperating valve seat, each throttle constituting a homogenization gapthrough which the liquid passes and which splits the relatively largerfat globules in the liquid into the relatively smaller fat globules tostabilize the fat emulsion and prevent setting; and each of theplurality of valve cones possessing an outer dimension greater than aninner dimension of the respective cooperating valve seat so that each ofthe plurality of valve cones and the respective cooperating valve seatradially overlap one another to define a respective one of thehomogenization gaps which are each configured to effect a pressure dropsufficient to split the relatively larger fat globules into therelatively smaller fat globules.
 2. The homogenization device as claimedin claim 1, wherein valve cones and valve seats arerotation-symmetrical.
 3. The homogenization device as claimed in claim1, wherein the homogenization gaps are disposed at an angle in relationto the horizontal plane.
 4. The homogenization device as claimed inclaim 3, wherein the homogenization gaps are disposed at 20-45° inrelation to the horizontal plane.
 5. The homogenization device asclaimed in claim 4, wherein the homogenization gaps are disposed at 30°in relation to the horizontal plane.
 6. The homogenization device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the valve cones are threaded on a threadedrod centrally disposed in the valve housing.
 7. The homogenizationdevice as claimed in claim 6, wherein the valve cones are disposed suchthat they are regulated together with the threaded rod by means of apiston, so that all homogenization gaps always have the same gap heighth.
 8. The homogenization device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valveseats are secured to the valve housing.
 9. The homogenization device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein all of the plurality of axially adjacentvalve seats are identical to each other; and wherein all of theplurality of movable valve cones in the interior of the housing areidentical to each other.
 10. The homogenization device as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the total number of homogenization gaps is equal to thetotal number of valve seats, and the total number of homogenization gapsis also equal to the total number of valve cones
 11. A homogenizationdevice to homogenize a liquid comprised of a fat emulsion, thehomogenization device comprising a plurality of pressurized, movablevalve cones; a plurality of valve seats; a valve housing surrounding thevalve cones and the valve seats; each of the plurality of valve conesbeing associated with a respective one of the valve seats so that athrottle occurs between each valve cone and the associated valve seat,each throttle constituting a homogenization gap configured to splitrelatively larger fat globules in the liquid into relatively smallerflat globules to stabilize the fat emulsion so that setting isprevented; and each of the plurality of valve cones possessing an outerdimension greater than an inner dimension of the associated valve seatso that each of the plurality of valve cones and the associated valveseat radially overlap one another to define the homogenization gap. 12.The homogenization device as claimed in claim 11, wherein all of theplurality of axially adjacent valve seats are identical to each other,and wherein all of the plurality of movable valve cones in the interiorof the housing are identical to each other.
 13. The homogenizationdevice as claimed in claim 12, wherein all of the plurality ofpressurized, movable valve cones are identical to each other, andwherein all of the plurality of movable valve seats are identical toeach other.
 14. The homogenization device as claimed in claim 12,wherein the plurality of pressurized, movable valve cones are mounted ona common movable rod so that movement of the rod results incorresponding movement of all of the plurality of valve cones.
 15. Thehomogenization device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the total numberof homogenization gaps is equal to the total number of valve seats, andthe total number of homogenization gaps is also equal to the totalnumber of valve cones
 16. A method of homogenizing a liquid comprising afat emulsion, the method comprising: introducing the liquid into aninlet of a housing of a homogenization device so that the liquid entersan interior of the housing, the homogenization device comprising aplurality of movable valve cones and a plurality of valve seatspositioned in an interior of the housing; splitting relatively largerfat globules in the liquid in the interior of the housing intorelatively smaller fat globules by passing the liquid through at leastone homogenization gap formed between one of the movable valve cones andone of the valve seats that radially overlap one another, thehomogenization gap formed by the radially overlapping valve cone andvalve seat being configured to effect a pressure drop sufficient tosplit the relatively larger fat globules into the relatively smaller fatglobules; and conveying the liquid which has passed through the at leastone homogenization gap to an outlet of the housing of the homogenizationdevice.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein eachhomogenization gap through which the liquid passes is commonly regulatedby movement of the plurality of movable valve cones.